Funnel guide alignment indicator



Aug. 19, 1952 'c w; DERK 2,607,184 I FUNNEL GUIDE ALIGNMENT INDICATOR Filed March 13, 1951 INVENTOR.

CHARLES W DERK fta'tion' the accuracy with 'guide'fis'centered within the bucket. "cordance with another form of the invention, fa' jig comprising an elongate shank portion, and

Patented Aug. 19, 1952 FUNNEL GUIDE ALIGNMENT INDICATOR Charles W. Derk, Lewi stown, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a. corporation of Delaware Application March 13, 1951,.S'erial No. 215,296

7 Claims.

: 1 The present invention relates to centrifugal spinning equipment and particularly to the centering of a strand delivery device with respect to the axis of rotation of a centrifugal strand collector. The invention is applicable to any equipment wherein the strand is delivered to the collector through a straight passagewayof a guide device and is hereinafter described with particular reference to a funnel guide and a spinning bucketof the type used generally for the collection of yarn packages or cakes of regenerated cellulose rayon.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for accurately centering the yarn-discharging end of a funnel guide stem along the axis of rotation of a spinning bucket over which the guide is supported, or for positioning a holder for the guide to obtain accurate centering of said yarn-discharging end. It is another ob- .ject to provide a simple and inexpensive device which facilitates the adjustment of a funnel guide holder whereby the guide may be supported with a desired axial alignment and the traverse range of the guide may be spaced a desired distance from the bottom of a spinning bucket. Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention and the drawing relating thereto in which 7 Fig. 1 is in section view of a funnel guide, a holder therefor, and a spinning bucket, and a device (not sectioned) for aligning the guide in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in section of a funnel guide holder of Fig. 1 and a jig for positioning the holder; and

Fig. 3 is a top view of the jig shown in Fig. 2. The present invention is concerned with an implement or device that may be supported in a funnel guide or a holder therefor for the purpose'of obtaining accurate alignment and centering of the strand-discharging end of a guide supported by the holder with respect to the axis of rotation of a spinning bucket. In accordance with one form of the invention, an indicator spindle extends through a strand guide having a straight elongate passageway for the passage of strand, and into engagement with the interior bottom surface of the spinning bucket. The spindleis rotated by' the bucket surface, when being rotated, to indicate.

which the end of the In acan indicator spindle extending. axially there-- by the rapidity of rothrough is temporarily supported by the holder in lieu of the guide for the purpose of indicating the desired position and alignment of the holder whereby the guide will be accurately aligned and centered on said axis when supported by the holder. A level indicator 'is optionally included in the structure of the jig.

In the drawing, a funnel guide I comprising a funnel 8 and a ferrule 5 is supported over the center of the interior bottom surface of the bucket 2 by a holder comprising a bracket 3, and asleeve 4 in threaded relationship with an exteriorly threaded bushing 5. A ferrule 6 is secured along the stem of the funnel 8 at a predetermined position. The ferrule has an outer surface which is complementary to the inner surface of the bushing and permits the funnel guide I to be easily inserted and withdrawn from the bushing. As shown, the complementary surfaces of the ferrule and the bushing are smooth and cylindrical. As a result of the threaded re lationship of the sleeve 4 with the bushing 5, the bushing may be turned to obtain any desired vertical adjustment of the guide I with respectto the bottom of the bucket. The sleeve 4 has a flange 1 which seats on the upper flat surface of the bracket. The exteriorly and interiorly threaded body portion of the sleeve 4 extends through an aperture II of the bracket having a much larger diameter so that the bushing, and the guide supportedtherein may be adjusted relative to the bracket in a direction laterally with respect to the axis of the bucket. The stem 8 ofthe funnel is hollow to provlde a passageway 9 which is constricted at several points therealong by inner annular ridges I 0 which limit the contact of yarn passing through the guide to several points so as to minimize frictional drag imposed on the yarn.

In accordance with the invention, an indicator spindle I2 is provided having a straight shank portion I3 adapted to be inserted through the passageway 9 of the guide and having a portion I 4 extending at an angle with the shank portion. The spindle I2 terminates in a substantially flat surface at I5 which engages the generally fiat bottom surface of the bucket. The shank portion has a diameter such that it may be easily inserted into, or withdrawn from, the guide. The spindle I2 rotates easily within the guide upon application of a rotative force to the surface I5. The shank portion of the spindle is constructed, preferably with as large a diameter as the passageway of the funnel guide stem will permit without binding or frictionally restricting the rotation of the spindle and so that the spindle 1 with will rotate on a definite axis without wobble. The axis of rotation of the bucket may be thus ascertained with greater precision while adjusting the spindle in a lateral direction.

When the uide is aligned in an oil-center position with respect to .the axis of the bucket 2, the spindle 12 engages a circular path on the bottom of the bucket. In such a position, very little or no rotative force is applied to the spindle. However, as the position of the funnel is shifted in a lateral direction with respect to its lengthwise direction such as effected when the bushing 6 is shifted within the aperture 6 to align the funnel guide stem over the exact center of the bucket, the turning force applied to spindle 12 reaches a maximum and the device rotates at substantially the speed of rotation of the bucket 2. The degree of rotation may be readily ascertained by observing the bent portion i4. As the center of rotation of the inner bottom surface of the bucket is easily observed when'the bucket is rotating rapidly, a further check on the accuracy with which the guide stemis aligned on the axis of rotation-of the bucket may be made by lookin down into the-bucket to determine how precisely the lower end portion of the spindle 12 engages the-rotating bucket surface at the center of rotation. When the desired lateral adjustment of the guide is obtained, a 'nut 16' in threaded relationship with the bushing 4 may be tightened against the lower surface of the bracket to secure a'guide at the correctly aligned position. The spindle 12 may be fashioned from any rnaterial having sufiicient rigidity that the end portion thereof will not be readily bent when brought into contact-with the rotating bottom surface of the bucket. It may be constructed from metallic rod stock, from wood, or from various synthetic resins which are readily shaped into straight rods ofthe required rigidity. To

avoid scoring of the interior bottom surface of the bucket, it is "preferred that the spindle 12 be light in weight'and not as hard as the material comprising the bottom surface of the bucket.

'-For these reasons, the inorganic synthetic resinous materials such as polystyrenegpolyamide --no abrasion on the bucket surface.

r In the embodiment of the invention as shown in ing 5. The'jlg 20 comprises a'head portion2l, an elongate shank'portion 122 having an internal bore 23 extending also through the'head portion, a spirit levelindicator 25 secured to the head portion, and an indicator spindle l2 supported within'the bore 23 in engagement with the bottom surface of the bucket 2. 1A's shown constructed from a material which is relatively" Fig. 2, a jig- 26 which may be T-shapedas shown, is supported by a holder, such as that comprisirigthe bracket 3, the sleeve 4, and the'bushirr Fig; 3, the bore-23 extends centrally through I the head portion 21 and 1 axially through the shank portion 23. The spirit-devel-indicator is mounted on the head portion'to one side of'the bore 23'. The lowersurface l-l off the head portion is accurately "machined or' othei'wi'se' formed in a plane normal to theaxis-"forthebore 2 3 and the outer surface of the'sl'iank portion-22 so that the jiginay be-supported-bywhe holder Y the surface 21' seated on the upper flanged surface of the bushing 5. 'The'spi ndle- -na fits within the bore 2-3 with small clearance so that the spindle may rotate freely without appreciable frictional restraint and with as little wobble as possible with respect to the axis of the bore. A low viscosity lubricating oil may be introduced within the bore to reduce friction with the spindle. V Thespindle [2a is p'rovided with a' cijrcumferentially extending indicium at 29"whi'ch may take the form of a thin line made by printing or scribing the material of the spindle, or :by a small ridge or groove formed in the spindle during the manufacture thereof. Such a mark occcurs on the spindle at the point where it will protrude from the bore when the lower end of the spindle engages the bucket and thus indicates a definite spacing of the guide holder with the bottom surface of the bucket. If desired, a plurality of indicia may be provided along the upper part of the shank portion of the spindle to facilitate adjustment of theholder. to diff-erent settings.

The jig 2B is intended for use in: adjusting large pluralities of guide holders to ia standard .setting. Since it maybe used to indicatethe leyelness with which a funnel guide is supported by its respective holder as well asthevarianceof the guide portion with a desired setting in the vertical and lateral directions, thejig enables complete and universal adjustmentof guide holders. To obtain adjustment. of a guide, the jig is inserted from above, into andthrough the bushing 55, into the position as illustrated in Fig. 2; While supported with the surface 21in engagement with the topi of the bushing 5,: the .jig is rotated through at leastdegrees to "determine whether the axis of the jig is canted out of vertical a1ig-nment.- If so, the-bracket 3 is shimmed or otherwise adjusted at the place where it is attached (not shown) to'bringfthe bracket in an orientation wherein-it-will-support the jig with its axis in substantially vertical alignment. Theconditlon is obtainedwhenthe dig can be rotated through 90 vdegreesfarid the along the tube thereof;

To obtain a desired lateral 'ad'ju'stmentoi the assembly comprising thesleeve 4' ahd the bushing 5' whereby thelassembly'}supports. the jig or'the guide I with its axis' coinciding with the axis of rotation of the bueket'2; the nut I5 is loosened and the ass embly is moveduiitil maximum rotation, of thespindle- 2a is obtained. At this juncture; yeah inspection may be made, as suggested with respect tospindle 1 2 of Fig; 1-, to ascertain thelpreci'sion with which the lower end-portion of spindle IZd'engages the inner bottom surface of}thej bucket at 'itsfcenterof'rotation; The nut 1'6 is thereafter tightened to fix the lateralad'justment .of. the sleeve and the bushingQf Vertical adi'ustmentof the bushing 5 to a setting, for supporting the funnel guide I abov'eptheinner biottom' sur 'face fof theflbucket is obtainedmerely by 'turnin'gfthe bushing withini the sleeve 4 uhul th'ef indieium at 25 'on'the spindle [2a is even wi'tlifthefplane of-the'top'surfac e S'fljof the'jig In the; manner just described, the holde '-thejgnide- I be completely an accurately "positioned ma desired setting througlrtheEuse 01f the'jigf 2s. present invenuen rovuaa "simple and inexpensive device or centering funnel guides relative t'og'spinning buekets ail-a i s applicfablejto substantially all Ofth: j assegal splnning equipment presently'used' to produce regenerated cellulose yarn without any need for modification of the equipment.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a spinning bucket, means for supporting a funnel guide which has a straight hollow stem portion, said means being transversely adjustable with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, an elongate member having a straight passageway and supported by said means with the axis of the passageway extending with respect to said means along the path occupied by the axis of the stem portion of a guide when supported by said means, a device for indicating a substantially centered position of the tip of the stem portion of a funnel guide with respect to the axis of the bucket comprising a spindle having a straight shank portion longer than the passageway and extending through the passageway into engagement with the inner bottom surface of the bucket, and a portion extending laterally from the upper end of the shank portion for facilitating the observation of the rotative speed of the spindle.

2. In combination with a spinning bucket, a funnel guide having a hollow stem portion, and means for supporting the funnel guide, said means being transversely adjustable with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, a device for indicating the substantially centered position of the tip of the stem portion with respect to the axis comprising a straight elongate shank portion longer than the stem portion of the guide and extending through the passageway of the stem portion into engagement with the inner bottom surface of the bucket, and a portion extending laterally from the upper end of the shank portion for indicating the rotative speed of the device.

3. In combination with a spinning bucket having a hollow stem portion, and means for supporting the funnel guide, said means being transversely adjustable with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, a device for indicating a portion of the tip of the stem portion wherein it is substantially centered with respect to the axis comprising a straight elongate shank portion longer than the stem portion extending through the passageway of the stem into engagement with the inner bottom surface of the bucket, the lower end-surface of the shank portion being complementary to an area centered within the bottom surface of the bucket, and a portion extending laterally from the upper end of the shank portion for indicating the rotative speed of the device.

4. In combination with a spinning bucket, a funnel guide having a hollow stem portion, and means for supporting the funnel guide, said means being transversely adjustable with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, a device for indicating a substantially centered position of the section of the stem portion nearest the bottom surface of the bucket with respect to the axis, said device having a rod-like shank portion terminating at one end in a fiat surface and at the other end in a section extending laterally from the shank portion, said shank portion being longer than the stem portion of the guide and extending therethrough at close clearance with the interior surface of the stem portion into engagement with the inner bottom surface of the bucket.

5. A method for centering the end-portion of the stem of a funnel guide with respect to the inner bottom surface of a spinning bucket having an upwardly-extending axis of rotation comprising the stems of inserting a straight rigid elongate loosely-fitting article through the stem of a funnel guide into engagement with the bottom surface of the bucket, rotating the bucket, adjusting the guide laterally with respect to the bucket axis until a portion of the article extending above the guide is observed to rotate at a maximum rate, and securing the guide to a lateral adjustment corresponding to said maximum rate of rotation of the article.

6. In combination with a spinning bucket, means for supporting a funnel guide which has a straight hollow stem portion, said supporting means having a bore for receiving the funnel guide, means for adjusting the. supporting means transversely with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, a jig having an elongate shank portion and a head portion, said jig having a bore extending axially through the shank portion and through the head portion, the shank portion having an outer surface adjacent the head portion which is substantially coaxial with the bore of the jig and complementary to the bore of the supporting means, an indicator spindle having a shank portion longer than the jig, and a portion extending laterally from one end of the shank portion for facilitating the observation of the rotative speed of the spindle, said shank portion of the spindle extending through the bore of the jig into engagement with the bottom surface of the bucket with said laterally extending portion being supported above the head portion of the jig for unobstructed rotation.

7. In combination with a spinning bucket, means for supporting a funnel guide which has a straight hollow stem portion, said supporting means having a bore and a seating surface concentric with an end of the bore for receiving the funnel guide, means for adjusting the supporting means transversely with respect to the axis of rotation of the bucket, a jig having an elongate shank portion and a head portion, said ig having a bore extending axially through the shank portion and through the head portion. the shank portion having an outer surface adjacent the head portion which is substantially coaxial with the bore of the jig and complementary to the bore of the supporting means, a surface on the head portionextending radially outwardly from said outer surface of the shank portion for engaging the seating surface, a spirit level mounted on the head portion laterally with respect to the bore of the jig and extending transversely with respect to the axis of said bore to ndicate the levelness of a plane normal to said axis, an indicator spindle having'a shank portion longer than the jig and a portion extending laterally from one end of the shank portion, said shank portion of the spindle extending at close clearance through the bore of the jig in freely slidable and rotatable relationship into engagement with the bottom surface of the bucket, said laterally extending portion being supported above the head portion and the spirit level for unobstructed rotation.

CHARLES W. DERK.

No references cited. 

